Your home is usually among your most valued investments. It supports you financially through improving equity, and it’s an area to raise your family and make memories, too. When it’s cold, you could also face growing utility expenses.
Consequently, finding tactics to lower your heating bill in Champaign without giving up comfort can feel challenging.
When it comes to energy efficiency, homes are like cars. Some require a lot of energy while others sip it slowly. Regardless of what kind of home you have, there are ways to end the cold this winter. The Experts are here with seven suggestions to help your family stay toasty without driving up your energy bill.
1. Change Your Air Filter
It’s the most inexpensive solution out there. It’s also the best approach to keep your furnace functioning optimally during the winter.
The type of filter and seasonal factors contribute to how often you should get a new one. High allergen counts, pets and house size may also affect its durability. In most cases, inexpensive filters should be changed each month. Pleated ones made with better material may last three months or longer.
“It’s really the big thing homeowners forget about,” said Jim Hughes, senior manager of education and training at Service Experts. “The more full the filter is, the less air is able to move through it and actually add warmth to the house. A clogged filter makes your HVAC system work harder.”
2. Schedule Routine HVAC Service
It’s standard to have a technician stop by your house in the spring for AC service. That way, your unit is prepared for the heat.
But don’t neglect to schedule an appointment for furnace service before it snows too.
Among other steps, an inspection typically involves:
- Double-checking thermostat settings
- Cleaning and greasing internal components
- Examining system shutdown and startup processes
A tune-up helps lower the odds of dealing with an emergency repair in the middle of a cold snap. Some reports have indicated as many as 75% of “no heat” calls could have been prevented with standard maintenance.
3. Check Windows and Doors for Holes
Windows and doors are a primary entry point for chilly air. Insulating window and door frames is an inexpensive method to help keep frigid air where it belongs.
Here’s one assessment that Hughes advises.
Shut a door. Can you see any light? If that’s what’s happening, it’s not totally sealed. Changes or weather-stripping could be required.
If your house has single-pane windows, you should consider a dual-pane option.
Many homeowners insulate single-pane windows with plastic sheeting.
It’s not a bad solution, but dual-pane windows provide enhanced insulation for keeping cool air where it belongs.
When you switch to double-pane windows, your energy savings could be 25% or better.
4. Restrict Use of Vented Appliances
If you require the exhaust fan throughout cooking, Hughes suggests against leaving it going for too long.
The same applies to for the dryer. Don’t permit it to run after your clothes are ready.
Any venting appliance or exhaust fan pulls out warm air away from your home and pulls in cold air. Operating these appliances longer than needed will force your furnace to work harder to handle the preventable coldness.
5. Examine Your Home’s Perimeter for Holes
Evaluate your home’s exterior. This is the barrier that protects your house from the outdoors. If there’s a basement, watch for moving cobwebs or chilly air leaking in near the corners.
Polyurethane sealers and other solutions can be bought to fix basement walls allowing air into your residence. Another inexpensive move is to invest foam seals for fixture bottoms, like ceiling fans, overhead lights or wall outlets.
They’re quick to use and are fantastic at blocking cold air in the winter.
6. Check Insulation Levels in Your Attic
It’s worth ensuring that you have appropriate insulation levels
Hughes suggests visiting the ENERGY STAR® zone map to find the suitable R-value for your home’s walls and attic space. This value is established on the geographic location where you live.
7. Consider Our Advantage Program™
Winter might be tough for homeowners with aging systems.
If your furnace is going out or in need of major service, there’s a decent chance you’re not set to spend thousands on an updated system.
That’s why we have our Advantage Program. It helps homeowners like you prevent expensive service calls through a small monthly fee.
We’ll also put in a high-efficiency system in your house. Plus our Expert specialists will overhaul and service it for you without any additional out-of-pocket fee
Request an Appointment with Us Right Away
Make your Champaign house more energy efficient with pro assistance from Service Experts.
For more details about our Advantage Program or to book an appointment for HVAC service, call us at 217-689-2469 or contact us online today.